Watch the aftermath of the fire at Locks Common in Porthcawl. More than 30 firefighters were needed to tackle blaze

A wildfire which tore across a Porthcawl beauty spot was started deliberately, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has said.

At its height, more than 30 firefighters from across South Wales battled to contain the fire on Wednesday on Locks Commons near Rest Bay, as the flames were fanned by a strong sea breeze.

Porthcawl Mayor Sean Aspey said the incident was a “perfect example” of why the town should keep its under-threat fire station.

“It’s not the first time this has happened and again, the Porthcawl tender was the first on scene,” he said.

Gorse was also set alight on Locks Common in April, which prompted calls at the time for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) to reconsider its plan to close on-call stations in Porthcawl and Kenfig Hill and build a new station two miles away in South Cornelly once suitable land has been identified.

But a consultation document on the proposed change has stated the new fire station “can provide more efficient protection with only a very small statistical increase in risk”.

Andrew Davison previously said SWFRS “had to look at how it can provide a safe and effective service within the confines of a reduced budget”.

Following Wednesday’s fire Nigel Williams, SWFRS group manager of operations, said: “From our inspection it would appear that the fire was started deliberately.

“During warm weather periods it is essential that visitors and locals stay safe and if they see a fire to report it immediately to the fire and rescue service before it can develop into a larger wildfire.”

Coun Aspey said it was a shame the common had been blackened just weeks before thousands of golf fans descend on the town for the Senior Open Championship at the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club.

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